The AVCA rankings are official and they match the top three spots in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason coaches' poll, with USC at No. 1, and followed by defending NCAA champion UC Irvine and Stanford.

The Cardinal opens the spring season with a match against its alumni on Saturday at Maples Pavilion, at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

In 2009, the Cardinal (21-11) won more matches than in any season since 1997, earned its highest season-ending ranking (No. 6) since 2003, had two first-team All-Americans for the first time since 1993, and increased its victory total by 18 over just two seasons.

Stanford returns five starters, including kills leader Evan Romero, setter Kawika Shoji and 2009 national Newcomer of the Year Erik Shoji, at libero.

The Cardinal opens its regular season on Jan. 15 when it plays hosts to Hawai'i at 7 p.m. at Maples Pavilion, and takes on the Warriors a day later at Burnham Pavilion, both at 7 p.m. in matches that double as Stanford's MPSF openers.

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